Wind's Tomb (3)

“You.”

“You scum.”

“You sir.”

Somewhat hazy eyes.

Mechanical responses.

“””Must kill you.”””

An unpleasant voice resonating as if the three were one person.

Hadard smiled despite this bizarre phenomenon.

“That’s unfortunate. I was planning to let you all live.”

The confidence that he could subdue three monsters considered trials simultaneously without killing them.

“So dance on the blade’s edge, you pitiful insects.”

Hadard slowly drew his sword, looking at them like insects caught in a spider’s web.

*     *      *

Half a day to go.

That was Titan’s estimated time until arrival.

I could somewhat agree with that assessment, having recovered from the effects of the sacred magic.

After all, the massive form of the World Tree was already becoming clearly visible. The World Tree, Yggdrasil, and the barrier protecting it, which had been obscured by storms and dust.

The fact that it was visible meant we weren’t far away.

Considering Titan and our group’s current running speed, we could probably arrive in half a day.

Yes, that’s where the problem started.

That complacency was our biggest mistake.

Once again, the form of a giant bird with enormous wings obscured the sky.

“Little one, what makes you rush your steps so urgently?”

Yes, it’s not like I hadn’t anticipated this situation. Set the three monsters against each other and escape.

Then sprint with all our might to the World Tree while they’re fighting.

I had certainly considered the risk that the monsters’ fight might end before we reached our destination.

But I had proceeded believing that whether it was Nidhogg or Vedrfolnir, they would have fought a fierce battle, so we could somehow escape.

That’s why it was somewhat unexpected.

“You surely called for me.”

“Great, of all things it had to be Hraesvelgr. Talk about terrible luck…”

At this time of year—winter—this powerful monster that gains advantage from the season had belatedly set off to find us.

The one who had ignored us as if we didn’t exist now comes looking for us? Is that really out of goodwill? Of course not.

“Yes, you asked for guidance to Alfheim. Late as it may be, would it be alright if I helped with that?”

“Haha, what nonsense.”

If he wanted to say that, he should have stopped this biting wind that’s stripping our flesh first.

<Corpse Devourer>, Hraesvelgr—named for grinding people into dust and erasing all traces from this world.

Though his words sound benevolent, the killing intent in his eyes cannot be hidden.

He intends to kill us.

He probably ignored us initially because he thought we would die anyway, but now that we’re still alive…

It’s a form of silencing us.

“This doesn’t seem like your first time doing this, does it? You’ve done away with people like this before, haven’t you?”

“Perhaps.”

The fact that his power leaves no corpses when he kills someone explains the current situation.

Hraesvelgr was never friendly to humans and elves to begin with.

“I still need to maintain a friendly position.”

He only pretended to be friendly.

This probably isn’t his first time doing this. He’s likely been pretending to build bridges between humans and elves while making sure it doesn’t exceed what’s necessary.

His goal is probably the isolation of elves.

Creating a kind of farm where they’re given just enough water to survive.

“How many have you killed like this so far?”

“I believe it was seven out of ten, as I recall. I couldn’t spare those who were needlessly perceptive.”

“Because you need to be known as benevolent to humans and elves?”

“Yes, which is why I cannot spare ones like you.”

Hraesvelgr spoke candidly.

The implication being that since we’re going to die anyway, it doesn’t matter. I tapped Titan’s shoulder and got down on the ground.

No matter how much we run now, we can’t escape the monster before us.

Well, fine. I’ll admit it.

The plan was improvised from the start and went slightly askew at each step.

It’s fortunate enough that we’ve made it this far.

Yes, this is good fortune.

“Thanks to you, my questions have been answered.”

I put a cigarette in my mouth and light it.

The spark quickly dies in the biting wind that’s still raging, but I managed to light it just barely.

Thump.

Even that died down too.

Nothing’s going right.

The others I’ve met at least gave me time to smoke a cigarette, but this conniving bastard is irritating just by existing.

“Well, now that our business is done. Could you kindly get out of our sight?”

I’m not that reckless. I don’t make plans based solely on trust.

I had calculated for combat from the moment I anticipated meeting Hraesvelgr. And I proceeded despite considering such situations.

Yes, this is actually for the best.

Because we can handle Hraesvelgr.

I’ve already faced the <Future Drawer> head-on before.

Of course, Pinocchio was restraining himself at that time, and I barely subdued him by borrowing Morpheus’s power.

But comparing then and now, we’re clearly much stronger now. And our opponent is only slightly stronger than Pinocchio was then.

“I guarantee you.”

And above all, we don’t need to risk our lives.

The reason I prioritized meeting Hraesvelgr wasn’t because of his friendly attitude, but because of his intelligence.

“If you mess with us, you should be prepared to lose a wing.”

Would a creature who needs to keep the other two monsters in check still pick a fight after seeing our potential?

Would he endure such disadvantageous conditions to invest that much in us?

“Those wounds of yours don’t look shallow either.”

The intense scent of blood that can be felt even with him floating in the sky. Sword marks visible all over.

I could tell who this guy met after the fight, what he endured.

And how anxious he is right now.

It seems Master truly came to help me.

Since he gave me such a gift.

Then this becomes easier.

Whoosh!

I just need to show my opponent what my potential is.

Bright light drives away the biting wind. Waves of holy power pierce through the storm, spreading light far into the distance.

“So, what will you do?”

Will you still fight? Or will you retreat?

Although he flew all the way here because of his own actions, now that he knows we’re not easy opponents, will he still try to kill us?

“Little one.”

Of course not.

“We shall meet again. Don’t think you’ll be able to escape like this next time.”

“You have a long tongue, Hraesvelgr.”

Someone who overthinks will always consider the future.

“That insolent tongue of yours…”

Hraesvelgr tried to say something but then fell silent.

Did he realize that continuing would only stall him?

But this silence is too intense for that.

An emotionless gaze devoid of the emotional display from earlier.

Something is off.

*     *      *

Despite the unsettling atmosphere that made me worry something might happen, fortunately, Hraesvelgr maintained his silence and withdrew obediently.

Did he think he could just wait for us to come out?

If that made him calm down, honestly, it’s not a good thing.

Because then he’ll try to bring in other monsters like Nidhogg did to crush us.

This doesn’t mean they’ll cooperate, of course.

Just Hraesvelgr pretending to protect us would be enough for the other two to try to tear us apart as if we were their mortal enemies.

This would certainly be fatally unmanageable, but we can think about that when the time comes.

After driving Hraesvelgr away, we moved forward slowly.

Since Hraesvelgr is occupying this area now, there’s no room for other monsters to interfere.

Unless he goes out of his way to bring in other monsters, there’s nothing that can check us.

“What if that bluff hadn’t worked?”

“If it hadn’t worked, well, then we’d have started a friendly monster hunt.”

“You’re unusually sloppy this time.”

“Sloppy? I’m telling you, I thought it all through. I even had a plan for hunting the monster.”

The fact that we could set the three monsters against each other and escape from that area was already a success.

Even if another monster followed to kill us afterwards, I thought we could handle tired monsters. Though Hraesvelgr chasing us was unexpected…

“Honestly, it was luckier than facing the other two monsters.”

If we had to face Vedrfolnir, such intimidation wouldn’t have worked.

The vacuum he creates would swallow any sound, allowing for a silent battle.

And that bastard Nidhogg isn’t the type to consider such things.

So meeting Hraesvelgr was fortunate in a way.

At least he can be reasoned with.

And if someone can be reasoned with, that can be used as a weapon.

The more cunning they are, the more openings they have.

That’s why, even considering seasonal advantages, Vedrfolnir was our primary concern, followed by Nidhogg.

“So all he can do is this petty protest.”

Hraesvelgr left after causing biting wind to rage through this place.

A small sign of protest.

He probably hopes we’ll get sick from this frigid air.

Even if not, this happens just by his existence, so there’s nothing for him to lose.

“From your current appearance, it seems quite lethal though?”

“…”

It’s honestly difficult. I even deployed Canopus’s Jar.

I was continuously coughing up blood, barely holding on with the medicine Línea gave me. In reality, my hands and feet were trembling, and my vision was becoming blurry.

The one thing keeping me warm in this state was:

“Línea, you’re the best.”

“I’ve always wanted to hear that, but not in this moment. Is my value just my tail?”

“I have no one but you.”

“…I guess I have no choice.”

Línea’s tail is big and fluffy, making it possible to endure even this midwinter. Línea’s fox tail scarf. For that, I gave up my place on Titan’s shoulder to Línea and chose to be carried at his waist.

It was an investment worth its value.

When I say things she likes to hear, her tail becomes even warmer.

“Someone is blocking the wind head-on, and watching Lost’s lazy attitude makes me angry.”

“Pantheon Temple’s strongest paladin. I believe in you…”

“There’s no sincerity at all!”

Breaking through this raging biting wind is entirely Claire’s responsibility.

With wind like this, one wrong move could send us flying into the sky. This is precisely why Claire, with her weight, is perfect for the job.

That’s why we brought Vitege’s Armor. Earn your keep!

“We can’t ask Titan to do it. His surface area is too large, so there wouldn’t be much difference from us.”

Titan weighs a lot, but his surface area is too large, meaning he has to block too much wind with his body. He’d struggle to move even more than we would.

So it’s best for Claire to lead from the front, safely pulling us who are connected by chains.

With roles so well distributed, it feels like a blessing from the gods.

“Whew, at least we don’t have to see that irritating sight anymore. I think we’ve arrived. What should we do now?”

Claire, who had been walking in front, stopped and asked while tapping the greenish barrier in front of her.

“Yes, in the end it was just wind. It couldn’t stop us.”

“Línea-unnie, please strangle Lost with your tail right now.”

“Claire, Lost is just a little sick. You shouldn’t say such things.”

Yes, I am sick.

My insides are still twisting.

But from now on, it’s my duty. This poor servant of the gods is destined to sacrifice himself again.

“Urgh…”

After removing Línea’s tail, which I didn’t want to let go, I tapped Titan, and he put me down on the ground.

It took just a few seconds to reach the barrier with staggering steps.

“This is ultimately sacred magic too. So if I stimulate it from outside with my holy power, the Saintess of Earth will notice us.”

Then she’ll open a small entrance for us. Actually, even if not, the barrier would respond if we keep knocking on it.

The knocking of a monster and the knocking of a human are clearly different.

Still, the difference between direct confirmation and opening a gap in the barrier from afar is significant.

Especially when cold wind is blowing.

The moment my hand touched the barrier.

“Oh, it really opened.”

Part of the barrier opened, and a warm air was felt from inside.

This is strange.

“I haven’t done anything yet?”

Did the Saintess of Earth notice us even before I touched the barrier?

This is more surprising than expected.

Probably even more than Master joining us or Hraesvelgr hiding his sinister intentions.

That’s because this means…

“Doesn’t this mean she already knows how we got here?”

It means she already knows about Hraesvelgr’s dirty tricks.